CHAPTER 44
Kraken and Jimbei loaded Luffy and Sakazuki onto Kraken's marine ship.
"Thank you for the save back there, Kraken." Jimbei said.
Kraken looked back at the whale shark man and smiled.
"No problem. I could feel bad intentions the entire time I tried to reason with him. He's usually more understanding than that, it's like his attitude has changed a little for some reason." Kraken noted.
Jimbei nodded.
"That is true. He came to the fish man island a long time ago and didn't cause any trouble, I even spoke to him when he asked about the history of the island and about the good old man whitebeard." Jimbei said.
Kraken became surprised.
"Whitebeard? Why would he ask about him?" Kraken asked.
"Hm? Well I had told him that the good old man currently had the island under his rule to protect us from anyone trying to take over and Psycho asked if Whitebeard had any territories nearby." Jimbei confirmed.
Kraken put his chin between his fingers.
"Using that information, he had to have been asking for future plans of taking over said places maybe?" Kraken asked.
Jimbei grunted and looked forward.
"With seeing how he's turned out… I'm almost certain that's what that was." Jimbei answered.
Kraken shook his head.
"Oh boy, what a fight we have on our hands." Kraken said, looking at Luffy's unconscious body in Jimbei's arms.
"Luffy… what were you thinking? You're not even close to ready yet. I saw your friends fight too and as powerful as they are… even they aren't ready for Psycho or Cyclone, let alone one of the generals I saw in there." Kraken thought.
Jimbei got ready to walk onto Kraken's marine boat until he thought of a question.
"Kraken-san? Where are we about to go now exactly?" Jimbei asked.
Kraken was zapped out of his thoughts.
"Oh, um well, I want to find Luffy's friends again and train them." Kraken said.
Jimbei became surprised now.
"You're going to train the straw hats? That's amazing!" Jimbei said.
"Hey hey hey, it won't be that easy, especially if they all fight like Luffy. Good, but just not good enough. We can't have that. We need perfect if we're going to stand up to DEATH. And Luffy's brought some friends from out of town and they look like they've still got some things to learn themselves. I doubt any of them have learned a lick of haki since they've been here." Kraken explained.
Jimbei looked down.
"I see… haki is for sure a vital element when fighting now. Well, it's vital for survival as a pirate period." Jimbei said.
"Exactly. But it'll all be okay! I won't let them down. Now come on, let's go." Kraken said, walking towards the boat.
Jimbei and Kraken walked a little onto the boat until a man with white hair, stitches on his forehead, and a cigar limped out towards them. A DEATH member following.
"CYCLONE SAYS AS A COURTESY OF RESPECT FOR KRAKEN YOU CAN HAVE THIS PIECE OF TRASH BACK AS WELL! HA HA HA!" The DEATH member mocked before walking away.
Smoker limped over to Kraken and Jimbei and stared at the two for a moment before he got a real glimpse of who he was looking at.
"Kr… Kr… Kr… Kraken!" Smoker choked.
"Hey hey hey, calm down." Kraken said softly, slowly walking towards Smoker.
"Where have you been? All… these… years…" Smoker passed out as he asked his question.
Kraken sighed.
"Jimbei could you grab him too? Looks like we've got another one." Kraken said.
Jimbei nodded and picked up Smoker, bringing him on board.
INSIDE MARINEFORD
Psycho and Robin walked into Marineford in complete silence. Psycho's silence was more because of being exhausted from all the fighting; Robin's silence was obvious. Robin was so anxious her body shook, and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She hid all of this behind her signature straight face though. Even though, Psycho saw right through it.
"You're nervous aren't you?" Psycho asked.
Robin shook.
"Anxious… that word would describe how I feel a little better." Robin said.
Psycho nodded.
"I'd be lying if I said you didn't have anything to be anxious about but being anxious will only make these next few days harder for you as you stay here. The men are about to start the rebuilding process and then there will be a celebration service later tonight for our victory here today. I want you to use that time to mingle a little." Psycho instructed.
Robin shook again.
"Like… talk to those people? The things they've helped you with… they're evil! How do I know they won't attack me?" Robin asked.
Psycho walked a little ahead of Robin.
"You're a pirate aren't you?" Psycho asked without turning around, "To the everyday man and woman, you're evil even if you aren't, and…" Psycho stopped.
Robin tensed up.
"You're my daughter." Psycho put extra emphasis on "my."
Psycho then walked off, leaving Robin in the middle of the hall. A few DEATH doctors running past her. One ran up to her side.
"Excuse me, Robin-san! Psycho-san has requested that we take you to the infirmary to be fixed up!" The doctor said.
Robin, not wanting to just stand there, agreed and was taken to the infirmary.
OUTSIDE MARINEFORD
A crowd of men and women stood in the plaza as Cyclone stood atop the old execution platform. The crowd spoke amongst themselves until Cyclone spoke.
"LISTEN UP!" Cyclone yelled.
The entire crowd stopped talking to give Cyclone their attention.
"FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY YOU ARE TO CLEAN AND REBUILD THIS ISLAND FORT! AS WELL AS ADD A FEW MODIFICATIONS THAT I'VE GOT WRITTEN OUT ON A FEW BLUEPRINTS! THAT HOWEVER, IS FOR WHEN THE ISLAND IS DONE BEING REBUILT!" Cyclone yelled out, his voice booming over the island.
"WHILE PSYCHO RECOVERS IN THE INFIRMARY ANY THING YOU WISH TO DISCUSS WILL BE THROUGH OUR NEW DEATH GENERALS: KAKU! LUCCI! DOFLAMINGO! CROCODILE! AND KURO! DO NOT CALL ME UNLESS IT IS IMPORTANT! UNDERSTOOD!?" CYCLONE ASKED.
The men and women cheered with a great shout.
"ALRIGHT THEN! THERE IS A PARTY SET FOR TONIGHT FOR YOUR EFFORTS TODAY! THE ONLY THING LEFT ON THE AGENDA NOW IS TO REWARD OUR DEATH GENERALS WITH THEIR DEATH COATS!" Cyclone said.
Lucci, Kaku, Crocodile, and Doflamingo all walked up the execution platform. Kuro did not go because he already had his coat. Cyclone, one by one, gave the men their jackets. They all strung their jackets over their backs like capes, their arms not in their sleeves. The jackets were all black with red outlines and the DEATH logo on the back. Cyclone shook hands with all of them.
"Congratulations you all. You've earned your spot as DEATH generals." Cyclone said, turning back around towards the crowd. The newly officially made DEATH generals followed and stood at both sides of the turban wearing man.
"THAT IS ALL! GET TO WORK!" Cyclone yelled.
The men and women yelled another cheer and then began to disperse to work.
"What should we do, Cyclone-san?" Kaku asked.
Cyclone looked at Kaku and smiled.
"Stand watch over their work. If you get bored then feel free to join them by any means. You can even train if you'd like. Anything other than bothering me or Psycho until our important meeting later." Cyclone said.
"Don't worry, we'll make sure these guys stay under control." Lucci said.
Doflamingo chuckled.
"You and Psycho certainly are the craziest pair of bastards I've ever laid eyes on." Doflamingo said with a smile.
Kuro joined the rest of the generals on the platform. Cyclone looked at them all again and then over at Frank G who was looking like he was leaving.
"If you don't have anymore questions I'll be taking my leave." Cyclone said, teleporting away.
The five DEATH generals stood over the crowd of workers, watching them like hawks.
"So, straw-hat Luffy…" Doflamingo started.
The DEATH generals all looked at the 10ft tall man.
"What's your history with that boy? I already know the deal with the Crocodile-man." Doflamingo chuckled.
Crocodile balled his fist.
"When Kaku and I were in CP9, we were tasked with escorting Nico Robin to the gates of justice through Enies Lobby, but that boy ruined everything." Lucci said.
"You've got history with Nico Robin as well?" Crocodile asked.
"That's right." Lucci answered.
"What went through your mind when he came out with that big reveal?" Crocodile asked.
Lucci turned back towards the workers.
"It was certainly a surprising fact, but I wasn't at all concerned for my safety. How could Psycho attack me for something I did not know? However, even though Nico Robin was technically still my enemy even though I had transferred to CP0, she wasn't my top priority anymore. She really isn't know considering her lineage." Lucci explained.
Crocodile nodded.
"Same for me. I worked with Nico Robin for a long time, she was my right hand. Eventually she tried to betray me and I impaled her with my hook arm, but as you said, after everything that's happened she was far from a priority anymore." Crocodile said.
Doflamingo smiled at the two and turned to Kuro.
"And what about you?" Doflamingo asked.
"He ruined my plans as well…" Kuro said.
"It was bad enough he stopped me from ruling Alabasta, but I got beat again by him and his new group of friends." Crocodile said.
"New group?" Doflamingo asked with a smile.
"A four-man group of ninjas." Crocodile said.
Lucci and Kaku squinted.
"The first big task he had for DEATH to do was to assassinate princess Vivi so that she couldn't ally with the ninja world. Three of DEATH's top dogs Uzanda, Kumama, and Onawagi all went there with an army to kill her. We obviously failed thanks to those people jumping in our business." Crocodile said.
"Ninjas hm? That sounds interesting." Doflamingo said, smiling and licking his lips.
"Don't underestimate them you damned Flamingo, you'll die." Crocodile said.
"Oh lighten up Crocodile, I'll be fine, say?" Doflamingo said with a smile.
Crocodile looked over at Doflamingo.
"At this same island two years ago you turned down my offer to work with me, you said you refused to be my subordinate, why work with Psycho? Especially after he stabbed you, I figured you'd rage at him." Doflamingo said, chuckling at the end.
Crocodile took a puff from his cigar.
"There's something about that man that… wouldn't let me refuse…" Crocodile admitted.
Kruo, Lucci, and Kaku looked at the hook wearing man out the corner of their eyes.
"I just plain didn't like you, Flamingo, and I didn't like Psycho too much when I saw him either, he seemed like a young punk in over his head. But…" Crocodile stopped.
The stares continued.
"The way he spoke to me… just his aura… I… I knew that if I was going to get stronger it would be with that man!" Crocodile said.
The rest of the generals looked forward, except Doflamingo, who continued to look at Crocodile smiling.
"And I wasn't wrong. He's helped me awaken my devil fruit and given me a whole damn army to order around. I don't even feel like I'm working for someone at all." Crocodile explained.
Doflamingo kept smiling.
"Can't say that I disagree. Anything that ensures I get to do what I want with no consequence can get me to form an alliance." Doflamingo explained.
"What about you two CP9 guys? Don't you work for the government?" Crocodile asked.
"Hey that's CP0 to you! Erm, I mean, it was CP0." Kaku said.
"Kaku and I follow wherever justice lies. As dreadful as they are, if the life of a pirate was the true path to justice then I would call myself a pirate at that moment. This man, Psycho, his ideas and ideals. They aren't far form my own. I will follow that man until he either dies or I don't believe in his word anymore, but I don't see him dying anytime soon." Lucci said.
"And what about you at the end? Kuro is it? I've never even heard of you before, what were you? A pirate as well?" Kaku asked.
Kuro pushed up his glasses with his palm.
"I was a captain of the black cat pirates back in the day. Cyclone found me and asked me to join DEATH. After I trained with him he allowed me to become one of the three DEATH generals at the time." Kuro explained.
"Three?" Lucci asked.
"There were two other guys. A fish man and a man who could control lightening, but… he passed away last night I believe. It's a shame he is one of the reasons we've made so much progress in such little time." Kuro said.
Crocodile took a puff of smoke.
"That's unfortunate." Lucci said.
Kuro nodded.
"According to Psycho-san, they're ready for the next step…" Kaku said, "That man sure is ballsy."
"If anyone had the ability to beat those three it would be him." Lucci said.
"I wonder when we'll play a part in his plans… I'm itching to fight." Doflamingo chuckled.
"The meeting tonight will answer all our questions, at least it'd better. The last thing I'll do is sit around and continue to do nothing." Kuro said.
The rest of the generals agreed and continued looking down on the workers.
Frank G, captain of the coated pirates, was attempting to leave the island until Cyclone appeared in front of him.
"Going somewhere so soon?" Cyclone asked.
"Cyclone! What the hell do you want?" Frank asked.
Cyclone stood up straight.
"Where are you going?" Cyclone asked.
"I don't remember that being any of your business! Fee hee ha ha ha!" Frank laughed, his subordinates laughed with him.
"I thought you intended to work with us until your chance to fight us arose?" Cyclone asked.
"When did I say that?" Frank asked.
Cyclone smiled.
"You didn't say it." Cyclone said.
Frank G stared at the man with confusion until he thought about it.
FLASHBACK
"Damn Psycho! Treating me like child's play! I've gotten a lot stronger since our last fight… it's true you wiped the floor with me… but you just gained that old bag's special ability… I've had it before I was even a pirate captain!... I'll entertain your demands for now… but when you finally have time… I'll end you with this awakened gura gura no mi power!" Frank thought to himself.
Frank G looked over and saw Cyclone looking right at him, one eye closed.
END OF FLASHBACK
"YOU READ MY MIND?!" Frank asked loudly.
Cyclone smiled.
"Of course." Cyclone answered.
"Well that doesn't matter anyway, because I'll be damned if I'll me and my pirate crew will be your servants! I'm not like those fools who call themselves your generals. Play with something safe Cyclone, don't play with me." Frank threatened.
Cyclone put his hands up.
"Oh no trust me, I'm aware of the power you possess. Who else was strong enough to steal a devil fruit from Whitebeard?" Cyclone asked.
Frank smiled.
"In knowing my power, you still ask me to join you, now do you see why I feel disrespected?" Frank asked.
Cyclone smiled again.
"It's a shame really. All this power and it's not being put to good use." Cyclone said.
"What the hell did you just say?" Frank asked.
"I'm just saying. You've been beating up bums and haven't had true opponents since Psycho and I… we all know how strong your devil fruit and haki are, but what does it mean if you can't use them to their full extent?" Cyclone asked.
Frank stared at Cyclone with blood boiling anger.
"What are you saying Cyclone. Spit it out." Frank said.
Cyclone became serious.
"You heard what Psycho said out there, next we intend to take out the remaining emperors. And seeing as you and LinLin have already had history, we want you to be the one to take her out." Cyclone said.
Frank crossed his arms and smiled.
"That and you do kind of have a fleet of 250 ships on standby, even DEATH doesn't have those kinds of numbers yet. You're the best suited for this." Cyclone said.
Frank smiled harder.
"And if I refuse?" Frank asked.
"Then we'll do it." Cyclone said, starting to walk away.
Frank became surprised.
"HE CAME UP WITH AN ANSWER SO EASILY!" Frank yelled, "Fine!"
Cyclone looked back.
"Because I've already got a score to settle with LinLin… I'll take her out and take control of Whole Cake Island, but it won't be immediately… I wasn't just leaving to leave; I've got important matters elsewhere that need my attention." Frank said.
Cyclone turned all the way around and smiled.
"That's fine. As long as you're back for the meeting tonight." Cyclone said.
"What the hell do I have to attend for?" Frank asked.
"Because in this meeting he'll be giving us a run down of how things play out from here. It would've happened sooner if there wasn't just a battle here." Cyclone said.
Frank clenched his teeth.
"Do we have a deal?" Cyclone asked.
Frank thought about it for a moment.
"You have a deal. I'll go and take care of this other matter and be back tonight." Frank said.
Cyclone nodded and the two walked their separate ways until Cyclone turned around.
"Frank! What are you about to do exactly?" Cyclone asked.
Frank kept walking and then stopped. He smiled to himself. Without turning around he answered.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it Cyclone. I'll be back before you know it." Frank G said, walking off with his crew.
Cyclone stared at the man and slowly turned around to walk back towards Marineford.
IMPEL DOWN: LEVEL 6
Four men shared a cell on level 6 of the world's most notorious prison. One man stood against the wall with his arms chained up. He wore a standard impel down prison outfit.
Another man sat against the far wall in the back, his arms chained to the walls. He wore a black suite and white collard shirt underneath. This man was at least 29ft tall, with his legs almost stretching to the cell door. He had short black hair and round glasses; his head was down but he wore a smile.
The next man sat Indian style in the middle of the cell. He didn't have any devil fruit powers so he didn't wear any sea stone cuffs. His eyes were closed. He had a ponytail that was half red and half white with a leopard bandana wrapped around his head, he too wore an impel down prison outfit.
"The captain sure is taking his time…" The tall man said.
"He'll be here soon Branch. Very soon." The man in the middle of the room said.
BRANCH "THE LONG LEG"
DOCTOR FOR THE COATED PIRATES
DEVIL FRUIT: TREE TREE FRUIT
BOUNTY: B 1,850,000,000
"Oh I know Renji… but I've gotten so bored from these love taps they call torture… Yeh heh heh heh." Branch laughed, "Tell him! Raitoningu! Their so called torture is just plain boring." Brach joked.
"THORS FORGOTTEN SON" RAITONINGU
SHIPWRIGHT FOR THE COATED PIRATES
BOUNTY: B 1,725,000,000
Raitoningu looked up at Branch and smiled, for he didn't talk much.
"Just be patient my brothers. I trust in our captain with all of my being, if I feel he's on his way, then I don't think we should doubt that." Renji said.
"STONE COLD" RENJI
SWORDSMAN/VICE CAPTAIN FOR THE COATED PIRATES
BOUNTY: 1,950,500,000
"I trust your word just as much as I trust our captain Renji, I'll continue to be patient, my blood lust is kicking in though…" Branch said, looking over to the last man in the cell with them, "Hey, what's your name? What're you in here for?"
"Leave the man alone Branch." Renji said.
Branch smiled.
"But I feel so rude not speaking to the young man… he's been locked up in here with us and being tortured like us as well… so if you please would tell us your name?" Branch asked.
The man looked up slowly. His hair was a crimson red and his eyes were as well. He sat against the wall, chained up like Branch. Branch smiled sadistically.
"PUPPET MASTER" YUGAMI SASU
DEVIL FRUIT: BLOOD BLOOD FRUIT
BOUNTY: 2,200,000,000